Race and politics

DUNEDIN -- Several hours before Obama took the stage, protestors clashed in front of the VFW Post 2550 across the street from the stadium. Waleed McFarland, 29, an African-American man from Tampa had a contentious verbal exchange with Mike Freese, 55, of St. Petersburg, who is white. Freese wore a camouflage hat with a rebel flag stitched on it, and the message "Git-R-Done." He carried a sign with a black-and-white duck referring to the fact that Obama is bi-racial.

"I’ve already been called a racist," Freese said, referring to the hat. But, he told the Times he is not a racist. He tried to tell McFarland that the country is not racist, to which McFarland replied, "This is the most racist country in the world, and that is a fact. What about segregation?"

Freese replied, "I admit there was some discrimination."

McFarland got frustrated and walked a few steps away to talk to a reporter. "I have full confidence in Barack Obama’s judgment," he said. "I’ve been following him since the 2004 Democratic convention. To me he represents the '80s, '90s and now. We’ve got reality TV, but we’re further from reality than we’ve ever been," McFarland said.

McFarland said he is a volunteer for the Obama campaign in Tampa.

-- Eileen Schulte, Times Staff Writer

Full up

DUNEDIN -- That's it, the stadium is full. They're not letting anyone else in. So if you're still in line or thinking about coming, you're out of luck.

If you aren't there yet, don't bother

[Times photo | Douglas R. Clifford]

The Pinellas County 911 Center has just issued this advisory:

"If folks are not in line for the event at this time, do not come to the stadium.  The line is over a mile long and they are no longer accepting people.''

[Times photo | Jim Damaske]

Surprise! Obama's in town

DUNEDIN -- This town has been invaded by cars. Lots around the stadium are full, and people are parking their vehicles on side streets -– sometimes to the surprise of the few Dunedin residents who weren’t aware that Barack Obama was coming to down.

This morning, as a long row of cars lined the side of Broadway Street, a tree-shaded lane just across the Pinellas Trail from Knology Park, a bleary-eyed retiree walking his German shepherd looked at them quizzically.

"What’s all this?" asked Carl Sheppard, 68. When informed that Obama was giving a speech nearby, he looked surprised. "Oh," he said, and continued walking his dog.

-- Mike Brassfield

Wednesday bowlers at Dunedin Lanes

DUNEDIN -- During the Wednesday's Ladies League inside Dunedin Lanes at 405 Patricia Ave., 20 women talked about Obama's visit as well as the presidential race. Many were pleased he was in Dunedin, saying that the candidate usually stops in Tampa or St. Petersburg.

"I swing back and fourth," said Peggy Roche, a retired social worker from Dunedin. "But I do want them to stop slandering one another and tell me what they can do for this country because we are in one, big mess," she said.

"It’s going to get a lot better. I’m going to vote for Obama because I can’t vote for Hillary," said Marge Gacha, 72, a retired teacher from Clearwater.

Dot Lindsay, 80, is a retired teacher from Oldsmar. "I’m a Republican and a Christian so that tells you who I’m voting for: McCain," she said. "I think (Obama) is an empty suit and doesn’t have the qualifications to run for president."

--Demorris A. Lee, Times Staff Writer

Community over cash

DUNEDIN -- Tammy Adams, 42, lives on Roanoke Street. Across from her home, they are charging $20 for parking. However, Adams couldn’t bring herself to charge, even though she’s voting for McCain. She thinks this is a good day for the city. “It’s exciting for a little town like Dunedin,’’ she said. Adams, by the way, does charge people $5 or $10 when the Blue Jays are playing

--Jonathan Abel, Times Staff Writer

Fueling up with pancakes

DUNEDIN -- As an incredibly long line of Obama supporters has been snaking around Knology Field, some people have been taking refuge in Iris’s Family Restaurant, a local gathering spot across the street from the stadium in a storefront on Douglas Avenue.

People keep dashing in for coffees to go, or they end up staying. Today’s menu features “Obama Mama strawberry banana pancakes” with bacon or sausage for $6.99.

With its cheap home-cooked meals, the place is usually a magnet for snowbirds and local retirees. But owner Rick Nelson says the regulars are staying away today. Instead, the place is filled with hardcore Democrats wearing T-shirts with slogans like “Barack Star” “and “Hot Chicks for Obama.”

High-schoolers choose real life for government class

DUNEDIN -- Melissa Masciarelli started her fourth-period American government class with a discussion about Obama's visit to Dunedin. But about a quarter of her Dunedin High students weren't there to hear it. They had taken the day off to attend the rally. “It’s nice too because they are seniors so a lot of them are going to vote this year. I think they are amazed it’s happening right here in Dunedin," said Masciarelli, 28.

The school had a surge of excused absences Wednesday because of Obama’s visit, said Principal Paul Summa. Between 40 and 50 students got their parents' permission to attend the rally.

Freshman Barbara Zamudio, 14,  said she had friends that were there. Zamudio said she had hoped to attend but her mom wouldn't let her take the day off.

"I've heard he's a motivational speaker and I wanted to see what he's all about because I don't know all about his policy, she said. "My friends are all for Obama, they're all for change.''

--Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer

At Gregory's Salon, primping for Obama

DUNEDIN -- A a couple of customers were primping at Gregory's Salon in Dunedin with plans to attend the Obama rally.

Heather Rudolph, 33, took off from work today to volunteer at the rally helping disabled people. "There's lots of cute volunteers there," Rudolph said as her stylist put the finishing touches on an inverted bob, highlights and lowlights.

She said she is supporting Obama because her mother has lupus. "I really think with Obama my mother is going to get the universal health care she needs," Rudolph said.

We're moving!! No, wait

DUNEDIN -- People way back in line to get into the stadium had a burst of hope when the queue lurched forward on one big burst. Turns out it was a false alarm, as it merely was the result of another turn being added to the line, bringing folks more tightly packed together, but no closer to getting inside. At least Disney World usually has something to entertain the folks in line.

People are streaming into the stadium, but it's slow going, given the number of people in line.

--Jonathan Abel, Times Staff Writer

State seeks help with flood of new-voter forms

The state Division of Elections told Florida's 67 supervisors of elections Wednesday that the volume of new-voter registration forms is more than it can handle. So the state, which a few years ago took over responsibility for managing Florida's voter database, wants the supervisors to handle some of the work. That's not likely to be received warmly, as the supervisors are frantically preparing for the presidential election and now must process thousands of forms for compliance with Florida's "no match, no vote" requirement.

Elections chief Donald Palmer told county supervisors in an e-mail Wednesday that the state has added 25 temporary (OPS) workers who are working 12-to-16 hours shifts, and that more than 25,000 voter registration forms arrived on Tuesday alone, bringing the current backlog to over 32,000 forms.

"Despite these additional hires," Palmer wrote, "we will need to forward many of these applications to the counties of registrants to ensure they are timely processed. Therefore, the (division) will be sorting the applications that we believe we may not be able to process within the statutory time frame and sending them to the particular county in which the registrants reside."

"Together," Palmer wrote, "we will get through this surge of applications."

Obama visit a surprise to neighbors

DUNEDIN -- Not everyone in town is fired up about, or even aware of, the presidential nominee's visit. Two people who live within a half-mile of the stadium were caught by surprise when people started pouring into their neighborhood Wednesday morning.

Tom Dee, who lives in the 400 block of Lexington Street, perhaps a quarter-mile or so from the stadium, had no idea Obama was coming to town.

"I was sleeping in my bed when they told me I should go out and make a buck."

So Dee is now outside, parking cars in his yard at $10 each. He said he's been wanting to take his girlfriend out to a nice dinner but couldn't afford it. So at least one person's economic situation has been improved.

For at least one, Obama not worth wait

DUNEDIN -- The heat and the $20 for parking did not bother Allison Snell, who arrived at 10:30 a.m., But after 45 minutes, the Indian Rocks Beach resident decided to head home. "I adore him, but I never even found the end of the line," she said.

-- Jonathan Abel, Times Staff Writer

Inside or out, for some it doesn't matter

DUNEDIN -- It looks like the line is a mile long. If you start at the stadium and go east on Beltrees Street, you get to Milwaukee and the line is still going. It goes south along Milwaukee all the way to Orangewood Avenue.

One person in line on Milwaukee was Daryle Russell, 70, from Bradenton, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to get in because there are lots of people in front of him. “We came here to show support. Whether we get in is incidental,’’ Russell said. “It’s an important outlet. When you look at the overwhelming response, it’s a statement in itself. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

There are also entrepreneurs making a buck. They’re selling everything from parking spaces to Obama rally towels, pins and water. Some supporters of Pinellas County Sheriff candidate Randall Jones are out there with “Randall Jones for Sheriff” signs.

Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

Photo: Deana Sanabria, of Fort Lauderdale, sells Barack Obama pins at Knology Park. [Douglas R. Clifford | Times]

Mayor's moment: Introducing Obama

DUNEDIN -- Mayor Bob Hackworth didn't appear to be too stressed out about preparing to introduce a presidential nominee. He was in his office this morning, feet up on his desk, going over the note cards he would use to deliver the introduction. He actually didn't have to sweat writing the speech, since the Obama campaign pretty much provided the introduction for him to read.

Hackworth, who also is running for Congress against Republican Bill Young, did add this sentence to the end: "For my town and my family, this election is all about the future.''

And just to make sure he wouldn't forget anything, Hackworth's wife, Gwynne, was there to remind him before he left for the stadium to remember his notes, his speech and of course . . . remember to turn off his cell phone before he begins his speech.

--Theresa Blackwell, Times staff writer

*

Llorente already controlling the purse

In what is likely another sign of his rise as House appropriations chairman, Rep. Marcelo Llorente, R-Miami, is hosting an Oct. 9 fundraiser for Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, at Gordon Biersch restaurant in Miami.

*

Report questions provisional votes in Fla.

A group that has long criticized the way Florida conducts its elections issued a report Wednesday warning that the state's "overuse" of provisional ballots could lead to "disenfranchising" thousands of voters in November.

The report by the Advancement Project cited two battleground states --Florida and Ohio -- that it said rely too heavily on provisional ballots. Florida had 14,550 provisional ballots in 2006, 27 percent of which were rejected, according to the group's report.

Florida was cited in the report for its "wrong precinct" rule, meaning a provisional ballot is not counted unless a voter casts it at his or her correct precinct -- a requirement adopted by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Secretary of State Kurt Browning has defended the use of provisional ballots as necessary to balance the rights of every voter with the need to maintain integrity in elections. 

The report can be found at www.advancementproject.org.

*

Obama traffic in Dunedin not bad so far

DUNEDIN -- While there's a long line of people waiting to get into Knology Park for the Barack Obama rally, people apparently headed the warnings about not trying to park at the stadium. Traffic in the area is heavy, but manageable. It appears generally not much better or worse than a Blue Jays spring training game.

Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

*

Rep. Stan Mayfield battling cancer again

House Speaker Marco Rubio sent an e-mail this morning expressing grave concern about his friend and colleague Rep. Stan Mayfield, R-Vero Beach.

"As many of you know, in March of 2007 our friend and colleague Stan Mayfield was diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer. He immediately proceeded to receive experimental treatments at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. The treatment was initially successful. As a result, Stan's last two years in the Florida House were very productive. Although he was often tired and feeling the effects of the treatment, Stan fully participated in his role as a council chair. His crowning achievement was a historic energy bill.

After the 2008 session, Stan returned home to Vero Beach and discovered that the cancer was progressing once again. His condition has deteriorated significantly in the last seven days. Stan and his family need all the prayers and support they can get." (House photo Meredith Hill)

*

Obama's faithful line up early

[Jim Damaske | Times]
View more photos, share yours

UPDATE: Doors opened on schedule. The city expected about 8,000 people, but it's too early to know what the count will turn out to be. The crowd is funneling through medal detectors. Obama is scheduled to speak at 12:30.

--

With an hour to go before doors open for Sen. Barack Obama's rally today at Knology Park in Dunedin at about 10:30, several thousand supporters were in line to get in. The line snakes from the ticket office, through the parking lot, out to Douglas Avenue and out of sight.

Bedecked in Obama campaign gear and chanting slogans, the crowd was excited with anticipation. Many waved handmade signs, one read "Obama Retires McCain in Dunedin." Another, "We love you, stay the course."

The very first in line were sisters Ginny Johnson and Marilyn Myers, both of Dunedin. The pair arrived at Knology Park at midnight. Johnson, 64, is recovering from a broken right ankle. "It's a little sore, having to stand since midnight, but he's worth the pain."

-Will Van Sant

Black leaders organize for gay marriage ban

Could this be what puts the proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage over the top?

Yes2Marriage.org, the group pushing the amendment, says African-American leaders and pastors from across the Tampa Bay area will make a "major announcement" at 12:30 p.m. news conference today at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church in Tampa. "The press event will feature local leaders and special national guests," a flier reads.

A new St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 poll shows 58 percent of overall voters approve the proposal to define marriage as between a man and woman, just short of the required 60 percent. Support among African-Americans is even higher, 65 percent, reflecting more conservative views toward homosexuality.

Heavy black voter turnout expected for Barack Obama has already worried gay marriage advocates in California and this new push in Tampa will surely add Florida to the list.

*

Obama's growing FL TV spending

Remember when some of us doubted Obama would really make a play for Florida? TPM notes the ever-climbing Obama ad spending in the Sunshine state: "Obama's spending has climbed to $1.9 million for the week ending on Sept. 21, from $1.2 million the week before that and $807,000 the week before that."

Scroll down on and look for the RealClear widget on the right, and you'll see the RCP average is McCain +2. Keep an eye on that number, which has never yet been better than a tie for Obama in FL. Florida is competitive, and McCain will have to spend some real money defending it. But we're still looking for the turning point when the RCP average tips toward Obama. Stay tuned.

Veterans praise McCain's 'courage'

When Orson Swindle said, "Service to country is John McCain," he spoke from experience.

As a fellow prisoner of war, Swindle witnessed the full arc of the McCain war hero story: the beatings and the broken bones, the refusal to accept early release, to play politics with the Vietnamese.

On a cool, sun-dappled Tuesday afternoon in Tallahassee, Swindle testified to the courage of his buddy and his fitness to become president. "He weighed life and honor. He chose honor," Swindle said. "That takes enormous character."

Swindle, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Marines, and other veterans are embarking on a tour of Florida to rally support for McCain. Their bus pulled up outside the Republican Party of Florida headquarters for a 5:30 p.m. event.

House Dems let offshore drilling ban expire

House Democrats have agreed to allow a quarter-century ban on drilling for oil off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to expire next week in order to pass a budget bill to keep the government running. Normally the ban is renewed each year with the passage of the budget.

"The White House made it clear any new drilling provision was a non-starter," said Drew Hammill, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in an e-mail to reporters. "The future resolution of offshore drilling will have to be addressed with a new president."

The Fueling Station blog has more details.

--Craig Pittman

Bennett: It ain't over till it's over

Sen. Mike Bennett also wouldn't confirm whether he and Sen. Paula Dockery had teamed up in the Senate presidency fight for 2010, but he did say: "We're spending a lot of together these days." He confirmed they did watch Primary results together in Tallahassee.

"Let's just say it's a long way from over," Bennett said about the Senate presidency race of 2010. "I'm sure Mike (Haridopolos) is working hard. I'm working hard. Paula's working hard. At the end of the day, we'll all get together, I'm sure."

--Jennifer Liberto, Times Staff Writer

Elections complaint in Aronberg race

A Fort Myers Democrat has filed an elections complaint against Republican Matt Caldwell who is running against Democratic Sen. Dave Aronberg for District 27.

Steve Sherman of Fort Myers said he got two campaign fliers for Caldwell in July that said Caldwell paid for out of his own campaign fund. Sherman's complaint suggests that Caldwell's campaign finance reports do not show that enough money to account for the fliers. (More on the jump.)The elections division "substantiated" his complaint enough to be investigated, Sherman said.

Caldwell didn't return several requests for comment, but Tallahassee consultant Rick Wilson did. He's the guy that's been hired to do press for Sen. Jeff Atwater's re-election campaign. Wilson said Caldwell was too busy to talk.

Wilson said that Caldwell paid for the fliers as soon as he was invoiced and called the complaint a "non-story." "I haven't looked through the exact paper work here, but everything we have produced has been paid for," Wilson said. He added there might have been a lag in filing dates but said that was normal in elections.

Detert says she's not pledged in 2010

Buzz knows how political insiders love to speculate on Senate Presidency 2010. Caution: this item only works if you assume the Republicans are going to keep the Senate in 2010.

Buzz got a hold of Republican Nancy Detert who is in a competitive race with Democrat Morgan Bentley for the Sarasota-area seat about to be vacated by Sen. Lisa Carlton. Detert denied that she had signed a pledge card for Sen. Mike Haridopolos to be Senate president in 2010.

At the Biltmore, Obama talks about economy

After arriving at the Belleview Biltmore for his three-night stay, Barack Obama held a brief news conference with reporters, announcing a plan to protect taxpayers and homeowners from the financial bailout being hashed out in D.C.

"Now that the American people are being called upon to finance this solution, the American people have the right to certain protections and assurances from Washington. 

"First, the plan must include protections to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to further reward the bad behavior of irresponsible CEOs on Wall Street.  ...

"Second, the power to spend $700-billion of taxpayer money cannot be left to the discretion of one man, no matter who he is or which party he is from.  ... We should set up an independent board that includes some of the most respected figures in our country, chosen by Democrats and Republicans, to provide oversight and accountability at every step of the way. ...

"Third, if taxpayers are being asked to underwrite hundreds of billions of dollars to solve this crisis, they must be treated like investors. ...

"Fourth, the final plan must provide help to families who are struggling to stay in their homes."

Obama at O'Keefe's, Belleview Biltmore

Sen. Barack Obama, with some of the O'Keefe's staff, had a burger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and spicy mustard. [JOSEPH GARNETT JR. | Times]

From the airport at midday, Barack Obama headed to O'Keefe's, one of Clearwater's oldest, most popular restaurants, to press the flesh and drum up some easy coverage. Buzz is he's staying at the Belleview Biltmore, the historic resort built in Belleair. He's just about to start a news conference there.

His traveling press corps will be ensconced at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach.

Obama is here to prepare for Friday's presidential debate in Oxford, Miss. Why do debate prep in the Tampa Bay area? "Look at the weather, man. It's great," Obama said.

-- Adam C. Smith

Obama lands at St. Pete-Clearwater airport

Sen. Barack Obama steps off his plane at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport this afternoon. He is scheduled to speak at noon Wednesday at Knology Park in Dunedin. [ATOYIA DEANS | Times]

Johnnie Byrd and Sarah Palin

Former Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd penned an open letter to Sarah Palin on TownHall.com: "Dear Sarah,

"Alzheimer’s disease is ravaging millions of Americans, mostly seniors, but not always the elderly. That is why I write you—because we don’t choose to become advocates; we are called to action by our loved ones. As I listened to your recent interview with Sean Hannity my heart was warmed to hear you pledge to advocate for the prevention and cure of diseases that challenge America’s families:..."

Sanchez drops out of HD 51 race

Republican Terry Sanchez has withdrawn from the race for state House District 51 against incumbent Democrat Janet Long.

The Republican Party of Florida informed state elections officials of Sanchez's decision Monday in a short letter that was copied to Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark. The letter offers no explanation for Sanchez's decision. The Republican Party has the right under state law to choose a replacement, but it is unclear whether the party will choose to do so (the name of former Rep. Leslie Waters of Pinellas Park has already surfaced). Clark's spokeswoman, Nancy Whitlock, said the deadline has passed for the name of a new candidate to be placed in nomination for the seat, but notices will be provided to inform voters that a vote for Sanchez is a vote for the replacement candidate.

More at Bay Buzz. (Also, Sanchez has made the Buzz before, by publicly declaring she would not take a dime from any lobbyist.)

*

Republican Terry Sanchez has withdrawn from the race for state House District 51 against incumbent Democrat Janet Long.

The Republican Party of Florida informed state elections officials of Sanchez's decision Monday in a short letter that was copied to Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark. The letter offers no explanation for Sanchez's decision. The Republican Party has the right under state law to choose a replacement, but it is unclear whether the party will choose to do so (the name of former Rep. Leslie Waters of Pinellas Park has already surfaced). Clark's spokeswoman, Nancy Whitlock, said the deadline has passed for the name of a new candidate to be placed in nomination for the seat, but notices will be provided to inform voters that a vote for Sanchez is a vote for the replacement candidate.

More at Bay Buzz. (Also, Sanchez has made the Buzz before, by publicly declaring she would not take a dime from any lobbyist.)

*

McCain enemy is Crist BFF

Senior John McCain adviser Steve Schmidt ripped into Robert Wexler yesterday: "Robert Wexler went out and accused (Sarah Palin) of being a Nazi sympathizer," he said, although in fact what Wexler said (incorrectly) was that Sarah Palin supported Pat Buchanan, calling Buchanan a Nazi sympathizer. It was only the latest attack on Wexler by the McCain camp.

So it was striking to see Gov. Charlie Crist on Today this morning, once again heaping praise on his buddy, Wexler.

*

'The best Legislature money can buy'

Five years ago, the notion that anyone would raise $300,000 for a part-time job in the Florida Legislature was viewed as obscene. Three years ago, then-Senate President Tom Lee took lots of heat for raising $1-million for a political committee he created to keep the Senate in Republican hands. But the trend was well-established. Now, it has happened: Republican Jeff Atwater has broken the $2-million mark in his election campaign for the Senate presidency, a job that pays $42,000 a year.

Add to that Atwater's $230,000 in in-kind donations from the state GOP and $820,000 from his own political committee, and he's well over $3-million -- in the midst of a recession, no less.

Ben Wilcox of Common Cause says Atwater's prodigious fundraising, albeit mostly in $500 increments, proves that Florida has "the best Legislature money can buy." Check out other legislators' fundraising totals and read the full story here.

*

Crist, Sink lag Jeb on diversity

Florida's top elected female executive was adamant in a Cabinet meeting last month: The state should be more diligent about hiring minorities as parole commissioners because they make important decisions about a population over-represented by minorities.

No one disagreed. But Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, fellow Cabinet officers and the governor aren't setting the best example when it comes to diversity in hiring. A St. Petersburg Times survey of the top staffers in the offices of Sink, Gov. Charlie Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Agricultural Commissioner Charles Bronson show less than 9 percent of their top staff are minorities. Women account for 43 percent, though they are concentrated in lower-paying posts.

Story here.

*

Florida poll: Obama 47%, McCain 45%

Today show/Mason-Dixon poll: Barack Obama 47 percent, John McCain 45 percent. Check out Chuck Todd walk through some of the troubling numbers for McCain, who leads among seniors by only 4 points, among Hispanics by only 6. Obama leads McCain by 5 points on the question of who Florida voters trust more on the economy. In all-important Tampa Bay, Obama leads by 6 points - 49-43.

Fl poll: McCain up 5

Rasmussen robo poll 9/21: John McCain 51%, Barack Obama 46%: "Both nationally and in Florida, polling suggests the race for the White House today is very similar to the final results for Election 2004. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows McCain with a very modest lead nationally, and his five-point edge in Florida matches President Bush’s margin of victory in the state four years ago. ...

"McCain is viewed favorably by 55% of Florida voters and unfavorably by 45%. Obama’s numbers are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable. The GOP nominee has a solid 56% to 40% edge among unaffiliated voters in the Sunshine State. He also leads 53% to 44% among men and 51% to 47% among women."

Tom Feeney's 30-second mea culpa

Five years after he was embroiled in scandal with lobbyist Jack Abramoff, U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney is saying sorry -- on TV.

In a highly unusual ad, which begins tomorrow and will run for 10 days, the Oviedo Republican says he made a "rookie mistake" by going on a golfing excursion to Scotland with the now-bête noire of Washington.

Feeney notes that he eventually reported and paid for the trip. "I embarrassed myself. I embarrassed you. And for that, I'm very sorry," Feeney, sitting at a kitchen table, says over calming piano music.

The timing can mean only one thing: Feeney is deeply worried about being re-elected. It comes on the heels of internal polling released by his opponent, Democrat Suzanne Kosmas, showing a dead heat.

"We know the Kosmas campaign is going to make an issue of this 5-year-old story and Tom, once again, wants to be pro-active and straightforward about it," said his spokeswoman Pepper Pennington. Kosmas' response to the ad is here.

Sen. Alexander vs. Citizens, part 9?

Sen. J.D. Alexander, a frequent critic of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., wrote a scathing letter questioning Citizen's quest for new office space.

But Citizens says: Hold on a second, we haven't chosen anything yet. 

McCain, Obama to kick off tours of Florida

A three-day veterans for John McCain bus tour kicks off today in Land O'Lakes this evening and continues on through Sarasota, Ocala, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Panama City and Pensacola. McCain pal and former cellmate, Lt. Col. Orson Swindle, USMC (Ret.), will speak about McCain's leadership, as will Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer and Col. Tom Moe, USAF (Ret.), a former POW recognized by Sarah Palin during her nomination speech.

Tomorrow, the Barack Obama campaign kicks off a three-day foreign policy Florida tour. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration and former National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism Richard Clarke will speak at the University of North Florida, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, New College of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida Atlantic University. Gen. Gration will then continue on to speak at Broward College, Florida International University and the University of Miami on Thursday.

*

No election fraud in Florida?

On a McCain campaign conference call today, former Sens. John Danforth and Warren Rudman expressed concern about suspicious registration efforts, singling out ACORN with questionable activity. Interestingly, though, they cited no examples in Florida that cause them any concern.

McCain General Counsel Trevor Potter: "We haven't seen anything (in Florida) that we have been particularly concerned about, although obviously the entire country watches Florida to see what's going on."

*

Darryl Rouson: Not your typical politician

It's halftime at a St. Petersburg Catholic High School football game, and state Rep. Darryl Rouson's campaign treasurer is offering advice on an anniversary present for his wife.

"You mean more than this?" Rouson, 53, asks mischievously, gyrating his hips back and forth in a sexual motion as a reporter watches.

It is classic Rouson: outrageous, unpredictable, completely arresting.

Rouson, who is seeking re-election to state House District 55, is the rare politician who has turned an unattractive personal history — drug addiction, bankruptcy, divorce, homelessness, civil disobedience, professional misconduct — into a triumphant tale of redemption. (story here)

*

Parking tight for Obama's Dunedin rally

If you’re headed to Barack Obama’s rally Wednesday at Knology Park in Dunedin, the campaign wants you to know there will be no public parking on site. “Please carpool or take public transportation,” a  release says. Shuttle serv